My class has had.. only one? maybe two? reunions in the 13 years since we’ve graduated high school. My entire graduating class was 32 people. (No, that’s not a misprint).
So when my boyfriend asked me if I would like to accompany him to his 25th year HS reunion, I really wanted to.. not just because I had never been to one, but because it would be interesting to hear all the stories about him. *grins*
So, it was over the weekend in Toledo, Ohio. And I had a blast. It was very interesting to meet so many people from his past, as well as share stories and realize that even though they were graduating high school at the same time I was graduating kindergarten, it’s really the same experiences spread over various years. There were the geeky kids, the jocks, the musical type, the slacker type… all who had their own stories and their own various things in life they had to struggle, fight through, and become the person they are today.
I have to admit it was a bit interesting dealing with… various people who, for one reason or another, think that the age difference matters one iota to us. When I was at the reunion, it was fun to tell the story, but it was even better knowing that we’re all adults, and once that happens, age isn’t anything but a reminder. Everyone was very sweet, pleasant, and very, very nice.
The rest of the weekend was spent meeting some of his family and learning more about our various pasts as well as each other. I highly suggest a hometown visit with your significant other at some point… it’s very fascinating, and very illuminating.
And now I even have reunion stories to tell.. and pictures to hide from on Facebook.
PS: Any hotel that shuts down a room party… then offers a lobby for the afterparty at 1:30am? Totally rocks. Thanks. 
Nice that you enjoyed the reunion. As far as people’s reaction to the age difference, it’s a common belief that older men get a huge ego boost in dating younger women…as a trophy of sorts. They believe other men to be envious that they “still got it”, the ability to attract someone younger (the younger the better). High School reunions are the perfect setting for this type of behavior. Was your boyfriend boastful in any way? For example, was he the first to bring it up in conversations? or announce it ahead of time on social networks? If so, that may be a reason for people to have focused on the age difference between you two. The plus side in women dating older men, is that they are more settled down, established in their careers and more likely to stay faithful and committed to you. I wish you well.
We started dating before the reunion. A lot of the “age differential problem” wasn’t with people that know me personally; it was with people who have not met me, or have limited time talking to me in any setting, be it face to face or digital. It’s the concept of “it’s easier to make up all sorts of thoughts if you never have met the person or gone out of the way to meet them or get to know them”, at least to me, that was prevalent in this situation. Most people at the reunion enjoyed hearing the story of how we met, and just accepted it for what it was, and had no issues with it whatsoever! So I think a large part of it is misconceptions that are easier to keep than to clear up.
Ultimately, it was just a thing. All things will pass. I still had a ton of fun, got to meet some amazing people that I am so happy are in my life now, and my BF and I know much more about each others’ past as well. And we had fun, and had a great time, and that is what matters, really, in the end.
Thank you for the kind words.